Have a Heart for the Father

We all are quite familiar with the story of the lost or prodigal son. However, we are always quick to focus only on the first son who went away and squandered his father’s inheritance. We neglect the story of the second son.

But we must remember, the bible passage started this way, “He also said: “A man had TWO sons” (vs. 11). Not one. The story of the second son has a great lesson for us too.

When the first son came back, the father ordered him to be cleaned up, dressed in best robe … and the fattened calf should be killed in celebration (vs 22 – 24).

The second son heard about this and refused to join the celebration. His father came out to meet him and the son said, “Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. But when THIS SON OF YOURS came… you slaughtered the fattened calf for him” (vs 28 – 30).

The father replied, “‘you are always with me, and EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS. But we had to celebrate and rejoice because THIS BROTHER OF YOURS was DEAD and is ALIVE again; he was LOST and is FOUND”‘ (vs 31 – 32).

You see, the older brother didn’t truly love his father too. If he did, he would have rejoiced with his father at the news that his lost brother was back. Instead, he got angry and jealous.

The first lost son left the church and went into the world, while the second lost son stayed in the church but his heart was out in the world. He had no love and heart for his father. He said, “this son of yours,” he forgot that this person in question is also his brother. His father had to remind him of that, “this brother of yours was dead and is alive, lost and is found” you should be happy.

Sadly, this behavior is very common among Christians today. When a fellow brother or sister in Christ who was lost in the world or backslider comes back in the family and God begins to bless & favor them. It is sad to see Christians who become jealous and start to grumble, “God, I have been a Christian all my life, I loved, served and obeyed you. I never left you, but this sister/brother left and came back and you are suddenly blessing and favoring them. What about me?” #Dontbelikethis

I will like to remind us too that everything the Father has is ours and we need not be jealous of one another but rejoice that a brother or sister who was lost is not found.” Let us truly have a heart and love for God. If you love God then you will be happy that one of his lost children came back home.

God Bless.

Eternally Loved

Esther Ademiju

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Author: Esther Ademiju

Esther Ademiju is founder and teacher of Growing God's Eternal Family. She is gifted with the ability to teach God’s word with simplicity yet undiluted to His people. Her passion is to teach God’s word, share His love & bring the good news to as many as He enables her to reach. Aside from sharing God's word, Esther is a proud nurse and very passionate about caring for others.​
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